The Atom based netbooks are getting well below $300 now, even with 10" screen.  This could really revolutionise the router market with a $180 router (eee 1000H without screen or keyboard).  Take a netbook, make the following changes:

Remove the LCD screen
Remove the keyboard
Add 5-port gigabit switch
Add gigabit ethernet port that is attached internally to the switch

Ship with:
1GB SSD
256MB of RAM (upgradable to 2GB by replacing the sodimm)

Keep:

the bootable SDHC card slot that interfaces via USB bus (which is what makes it bootable)
mini-pci wireless card, replaceable / upgradeable
3 USB ports, this is your way to attack keyboard, mouse, etc.
VGA port for diagnostics / install
Intel Atom CPU
SATA hard disk bay
battery - router with battery backup!  Sell it without, but take one of the standard eee optional

Your hardware specs and price are about dead-on to where I'd purchase this product.  I'd want to change a couple items:

A> I'd like to see at least 2, preferably 3, gig-e controllers on-board.  I'd like to see one of them attached to a 4-8 port switch.  Separate interfaces mean no wan bottleneck, and the specifications otherwise dictate a >2gbit/sec capable router.

I believe the 945GC supports enough pci-e channels to make this possible.  Not sure if the mobile version is radically different.  Also, please don't install any typical craptastic ethernet ports.  Our good friends at Intel make decent Ethernet interfaces.  Realtek and VIA do *not*.

B> I'm not a big fan of a VGA console.  I don't usually lug a monitor with me.  I always have my laptop, and a various assortment of serial cables/adapters/null modems are always in my laptop bag, along with an old ATEN USB serial adapter.

Now, I'm not terribly opposed to the idea of having an internal screen.  You can do a hell of a lot with a cheap 80x4 character screen, or even one of those cheap/tiny 128x96 (or whatever it is) nokia LCDs with cheap/reliable LED backlighting.

C> Since you're Asus and you've got design gods... lets see some express slot cards that supports the interfaces people need today.  I'd pay a few hundred bucks for a good (even proprietary for the 'eee router') OC3-POS interface card with linux support.

If they were on the market today, I'd be buying them at this price even at the specs you specify.

Asus already produces the eee box, an Atom based desktop version with a 1GB of ram, a 160GB hard drive, 4 USB ports, an SD card reader, gigabit ethernet and 11n wireless. It sells for $300 right now, I wouldn't expect them to sell a device that is basically the same with reduced ram/storage (and a gigabit switch) for 60% of the cost.

They've introduced enough eeePC (laptops) to dilute the line and confuse customers but they try to keep the prices comparable to each other. (Also, the various laptop models use different battery shapes, so your battery backup idea wouldn't work for all batteries.)

Well, I also recognized that netbook prices were really going down in the last few months.  I am thining about getting the Asus Eee or the Lenovo Ideapad as additional netbooks. But the idea with the eee router seems very interesing, probably it's worth checking out. It could really revolutionize the market but I suppose not many people are aware of that option.

Combined with a couple of gel cell or deep cycle Laptop Batteries, it should have no problem recharging a laptop or running small appliances. Maybe even occasional microwave usage if you have enough battery storage and a large enough inverter. Just be sure to use the appropriate batteries (Gel Cell / AGC batteries if stored in the home. Regular Lead Acid Deep Cycle in a box outside, or in an box ventilated to the outside if inside the home).

If you do decide to go this route, find someone that REALLY knows what they are doing to assist you so that you don't over or under buy.

Ours charges a 60Ah gel cell and we have only used it for lights so far. Eventually I'd like to add another battery or three and a inverter, but that's down the road.

(Last edited by beauine on 31 Dec 2010, 06:58)